About Psychology at University of Southern California
Psychology studies the mind and behaviour, from cognitive and developmental psychology to neuroscience and social psychology, with strong research training at graduate level.
At University of Southern California (QS World University Rankings 2026: #146) in Los Angeles, Psychology is one of the subject areas international students choose most. USC is a private research university in Los Angeles, close to the city’s entertainment, media and technology industries.
Degree levels for Psychology
- Bachelor’s — typical length in the US: 4 years
- PhD — typical length in the US: usually 5–6 years
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Psychology at USC
- Bachelor’s: apply through the Common App with transcripts, essays, recommendations and English scores.
- Master’s / PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, recommendations, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE. PhD applicants should show research experience and interests.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Psychology are set separately by the school. PhD students are usually funded through fellowships and teaching or research assistantships. Need-based financial aid for some international undergraduates (need-aware admission); graduate funding through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Some programs in this field are STEM-designated — check the program’s CIP code to see if the STEM OPT extension applies.
Apply for Psychology at USC with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Psychology at University of Southern California.
